A SMALL private island in Europe is home to remote beaches, crystal clear waters and a family of swimming pigs – and it’s accessible to tourists by boat.
In the summer months, swimming off the shore of a Greek island sounds idyllic.
It turns out that humans aren’t alone in thinking this, with pigs also apparently prone to taking a cooling dip in the sea.
The small island of Atokos is uninhabited by humans, but its family of black pigs is becoming famous for their days out at the beach.
There’s plenty more on the island for tourists to enjoy of course, including walking along hiking trails and snorkelling in the clear blue waters and looking at the wildlife under the sea.
However, it’s the pigs that tourists often tell their friends about after heading for a day out at Atokos.
How they came to be on the island in the first place is something of a mystery, but there are some theories that the locals argue over.
Some claim that sailors brought them to Atokos as a source of food, before abandoning them.
However, other people them to be the descendants of a family of pigs that survived a shipwreck and washed up on the island.
Regardless of how they arrived, they have become something of a tourist attraction in recent years, with people coming to join them for a day paddling in the shallow waters of their private bay.
Meraki Sailing, who arrange trips to the island for tourists, wrote: “Whether you choose to observe them from a distance or interact up close, the pigs of Atokos are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who encounter them.
“Visitors to Atokos are often taken aback by the sight of these four-legged islanders, who seem to lead a carefree existence amidst the stunning natural beauty of their surroundings.
“They are friendly and sociable creatures, often approaching visitors with curious sniffs and grunts, as if welcoming them to their island home.”
For anyone interested and wealthy enough to make their stay on Atokos a permanent one, the island is currently for sale, according to Domus Real Estate.
While there is no price listed on their website, Travel.gr claim that three years ago the “secret island” was available for around €40m (£34m).
The publication seems to suggest that the island’s uniqueness makes it worth a punt for anyone with the cash to spare.
The World's Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches.
They wrote: “Atokos is a place a lifestyle magazine would write about being an experience you must have at least once in your life.
“Of course, in Greece there are many such ‘secret’ locations, each with its own beauty.
“But the truth is that the climate, the terroir and the peace of the Ionian Sea make a very special, unique combination here.”
To reach Atokos visitors can take a taxi boat from most of the surrounding islands, including places like Ithaca, Kefalonia and Lefkada.
Meanwhile, this Caribbean island also has its own family of swimming pigs.
And this Greek island is better than Mykonos – and much cheaper.
